Represents Switzerland’s interests in the United States of America and provides services to Swiss nationals in the District of Columbia (DC), the States of Delaware (DE), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Maryland (MD), Missouri (MO), Nebraska (NE), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV), as well as in the Insular Areas of the United States of Northern Mariana Islands (MP), Guam (GU).

support Swiss representations in safeguarding Switzerland’s interests and in emergencies involving Swiss citizens abroad. In an emergency the representation responsible (embassy or consulate-general) must be contacted immediately.

A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland or the Consulate General of Switzerland which is in charge for your place of residence *) when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new Swiss passport or Swiss identity card, have moved or wish to apply for Swiss citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown list to the right.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from their Swiss representation.

*) You can find out which Swiss representation is in charge for your place of residence by clicking on the tab "Representations" in the grey ribbon above.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Switzerland and the United States are also tightly connected through intensive cross-border investments. The U.S. is Switzerland's most important destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) and Switzerland ranks as the sixth largest foreign investor in America.

According to the Federal Constitution, the goal of Swiss foreign policy is ensuring Switzerland’s independence and security and promoting the nation’s welfare. Through its foreign policy, Switzerland also makes a contribution to the alleviation of need and poverty in the world, the respect for human rights and the promotion of democracy as well as to the peaceful coexistence of peoples and the conservation of natural resources.

Swiss–U.S. Relations Switzerland–United States of America

The United States of America is a major partner for Switzerland in all respects. Bilateral relations are highly diverse and have a long history. The number of US residents of Swiss origin is estimated to be around one million. The United States is the second largest export market for Switzerland and also an important hub for education and research.

Key aspects of diplomatic relations

In 2006 the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding which established regular political dialogue.

Switzerland and the United States maintain contact at parliamentary level through parliamentary friendship groups in both countries.

From 1961 until August 2015, Switzerland represented US interests in Cuba and, from 1991 until 2015, Cuban interests in the United States. Switzerland has represented US interests in Iran since 1980.

Economic cooperation

Switzerland is the sixth-largest foreign direct investor in the United States, with some USD 310 billion invested in 2016. The United States is the single most important country of origin of foreign direct investment in Switzerland with USD 300 billion. Goods and services worth a total of nearly CHF 100 billion were traded between the two countries in 2017, with an almost equal volume of trade in each direction.

There are more than 500 Swiss companies in the United States, directly creating half a million jobs.

Cooperation in education, research and innovation

The United States is a key partner in the technology sector. The Swissnex outposts in Boston and San Francisco and an agreement on scientific cooperation in 2009 testify to this close collaboration.

US researchers and artists are eligible to apply to the State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) for Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships. A trainee agreement also provides exchange opportunities for young professionals.

Swiss nationals in the USA

More than 10% of the total of the Swiss abroad live in the United States. Between 1700 and 2015, about 460,000 Swiss citizens emigrated to the US. By the end of 2017, there were 79,710 Swiss citizens officially resident in the United States.

History of bilateral relations

Switzerland and the United States have enjoyed a relationship of friendship since the 19th century, founded on shared values in democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Switzerland opened its first consulates in Washington D.C. and New York as early as 1822 and then, 60 years later in 1882, it opened its first embassy outside Europe in Washington D.C.